1. science
2. medicine
3. surgery

Good News
A member of catholic health services of long island | a magnet® designated hospital
from Good Sam
One Year, Two Hearts and
more than 250 patients...
without skipping a beat
G
ood Samaritan Hospital achieved a signifi-
cant milestone on January 21, when The St. Francis
Open Heart Surgery Program at Good Samaritan
marked its one year anniversary.
“Going through heart surgery is difficult enough, but even
more challenging when family and friends are not close by,” said
Christopher La Mendola, MD, Chairman of the Department of
Cardiothoracic Surgery and Director of the St. Francis Hospital
Open Heart Surgery Program at Good Samaritan. “Bringing
experts from the St. Francis cardiac surgery program to the south
shore of Suffolk County has been a great benefit to the community.”
The program launched with the bypass procedure performed
on 68-year-old Alfonso Sterlacci. When doctors determined he
needed immediate open heart surgery, he and his wife, Lynn,
were thrilled to learn that he could receive the world-class care
that St. Francis is known for much closer to their home.
Six weeks later, Dr. La Mendola was confronted with one of
the most challenging cases in cardiothoracic surgery. New Jersey
resident Stephen DelMonico suffered an aortic dissection, a
sudden and catastrophic tear in the heart’s major vessel, which
march
2015
Unique
Geriatric Fracture
Program
3
Patient Arely Sibrianfuentes with Nadine Haber, NA, and Blanca Celestino,
Nursing Technician.
is often fatal. Fortunately, Good Samaritan’s expert cardiothoracic surgical team was mobilized within moments to perform
life-saving surgery.
“I have seen about 50 aortic dissection cases out of more than
5,000 open heart surgeries during a ...
( CONTINUED ON PAGE 12)
New Life After
Weight-Loss
Surgery
5
Anesthesiologists
Keep Pain
at Bay
6-7
Tips to Prevent
Colorectal
Cancer
10-11
A Message From the
Executive Vice President and
Chief Administrative Officer
S
Nancy B. Simmons
Good News is
published by
Good Samaritan’s
Office of Public Affairs
and Marketing.
Nancy Simmons
Executive Vice President and
Chief Administrative Officer
Theresa Jacobellis
Assistant Vice President of
Public Affairs and Marketing
Colleen Valdini
Public and External Affairs
Manager/Editor
Richard Helm
Photographer
Contributors:
Georgeine Bellando
Sue Grimm
Justin Jaycon
Chrissy Valencia
2
pring is finally here! Despite the challenges posed by the
weather this winter, here at Good Sam we had much to celebrate.
Our St. Francis Open Heart Surgery Program at Good Samaritan
marked its first anniversary on January 21. Thanks to the skills and
leadership of program director Christopher La Mendola, MD, and his
associate, Maksim Ravensky, MD, more than 250 open heart surgeries
were completed in that time with excellent outcomes. The success of this
life-saving program underscores the need for high quality cardiac services
in our area. In response, we are moving forward with construction of a
third cardiac catheterization laboratory. This project represents continued
investment into our comprehensive cardiac program, and will permit us
to care for even more patients with more complex health care needs.
More recently, we celebrated the completion of nine new patient care
rooms in our expanded Mother-Baby unit. Mothers and babies may
spend the first days after birth bonding in these beautifully decorated
rooms, some featuring private accommodations, space for a family
member to stay the night, and other special amenities. Most importantly,
skilled and compassionate physicians, Magnet® nurses and advanced
life-saving equipment are in place providing peace of mind for those
experiencing high risk pregnancies or complicated deliveries. See page
14 for more.
This month we also received word that our cancer program has been
accredited by the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer
as a Comprehensive Community Oncology Program—with commendation, for an unprecedented fourth consecutive time. This achievement
attests to the extraordinarily high quality, comprehensive care we provide
to patients with malignant disease. Our program is decentralized, giving
patients the convenience of accessing services at a variety of community
and hospital based locations. Surveyors were impressed with the comprehensiveness of our services, which include screening and education,
patient navigation, support groups, a dedicated inpatient unit, high
quality diagnostic procedures, surgical oncologists, medical oncologists,
and an advanced radiation oncology department containing the region’s
only True Beam™ linear accelerator.
Cancer remains a leading cause of illness, but with early detection and
improved treatments, the outlook is improving for those diagnosed with
cancer of all types. To help spread that message, in March we observe
Colon Cancer Awareness Month. On pages 10 – 11 you can find important tips to prevent and detect colorectal cancer in its earliest stages.
April is traditionally Volunteer Recognition Month. Working through
various Guild, our volunteers are a dynamic group of ( CONTINUED ON PAGE 9)
GOOD news from good sam | march 2015
Catholic Health Services
Board of Trustees
Salvatore F. Sodano, Chairman
Brian R. McGuire, Vice Chair
Joseph Tantillo, Secretary
Christopher Pascucci, Treasurer
Barbara Ellen Black, DPS
Kevin J. Conway
Peter P. D’Angelo
Rev. Peter Dugandzic
Virginia A. Ewen, RN
John Francfort, MD
Sister Audrey Harsen, OP
Alexander Hazelton
Brian P. Hehir
Deacon Frank L. Kurre
The Hon. Anthony Marano
Stephen F. McLoughlin
Rev. Monsignor Robert Morrissey
Jerome M. Poller
Daniel T. Rowe
Rev. Monsignor James Vlaun
John J. Wagner
William Ward
Good Samaritan
Hospital Foundation
Board of Trustees
Kelly Daniele-Crosman, Chair
Aileen Eppig
Kathy Giamo
Sister Ellen Moore, ex officio
William A. Mullaney
Henry C. Schreiber, Jr.
Sister Cathy Sheehan, ex officio
Nancy B. Simmons
Michael Virgilio
John J. Vullo, DO
For more information on services
and a Good Sam physician directory,
please call (631) 376-4444.
You can also find us online:
good-samaritan-hospital.org
facebook.com/GoodSamaritan
HospitalMedicalCenter
@GoodSamaritanLI
youtube.com/user/gshmc
Instagram: GoodSamLI
Breaking the Cycle of Decline
After Fractures
F
or most
people, a slip on
the ice is nothing more than
a painful nuisance. For the
elderly, a fall that results in a
fracture can be life threatening.
To help elderly patients
recover from fractures, Good
Samaritan has established
a comprehensive Geriatric
Fracture Program. Its multidisciplinary team including
orthopedic surgeons, nurses,
hospitalists, care managers,
and physical and occupational
therapists, uses evidencebased guidelines to reduce
the incidence of infection,
blood clots, pressure ulcers,
delirium, pain and immobility, all of which may lead to
a serious decline in overall
health for patients over 65.
Good Samaritan’s dedicated
Geriatric Fracture Program
Coordinator helps navigate
patients through the continuum
of care from their arrival to
the hospital, to early identification of those who may
require surgery, and through
every aspect of their hospital
and post-hospital treatment.
After fracturing her hip in
a fall at home, 90-year-old
Sally Lopiccolo received
Physical therapist Colleen Tice discusses the best approach for patient Sally Lopiccolo’s rehabilitation while
Amy Ormond, RN, takes her vitals.
special care through the
Geriatric Fracture Program.
Following surgery, dedicated
staff observed her throughout
the night. “I feel very confident that my recovery will be
excellent knowing that the
team will continue to monitor
my progress until I can return
home,” she said.
“Good Samaritan’s Geriatric
Fracture Program improves the
recovery for elderly patients,
with the goal of helping the
patient return to his or her
prior level of functioning,”
said John Acampa, MD,
Orthopedic Surgeon.
The Geriatric Fracture Program Coordinator monitors
patients throughout their
hospitalization, while the multidisciplinary team hastens the
surgical repair, setting the stage
for their rapid start of rehabilitation and return to home.
Since adults who have
suffered a fracture due to a
fall are at increased risk of
another fracture, the program
also emphasizes prevention
through exercise, dietary
measures, and medications
to strengthen bones. Education regarding fall prevention
techniques is also included.
“When Good Samaritan
started this program in 2012, it
was the first of its kind on Long
Island,” said Yorlet Torres, RN,
Geriatric Fracture Program
Coordinator. “I am excited to
be part of a team that is helping
our patients recover from a
serious fracture.”
www.good-samaritan-hospital.org
3
Hospital Partners With SCWA
on Importance of Staying Hydrated
F
or the past two
years Good Samaritan Hospital’s Center
for Pediatric Specialty Care in
Babylon has partnered with
Suffolk County Water Authority
(SCWA) to help ensure that its
young patients are drinking
enough water during the day.
A registered dietitian
works alongside a pediatrician to identify children who
do not drink the appropriate
amount of water. These
children receive a refillable
metal water bottle generously donated by the SCWA.
They are encouraged to keep
it filled with water throughout their day in order to take
in the recommended daily
allowance of six eight-ounce
glasses. Getting an insufficient amount of water can
cause dehydration, headaches, and constipation.
“We need to educate
families on the importance
of staying hydrated,” said
registered dietitian Cathy
Davis. “The kids love the
water bottles. One little boy
said he would save it as a
Christmas present.” Left to right: Good Samaritan Hospital Dietitian Cathy Davis and Suffolk County
Water Authority Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Szabo with pediatric patients,
two-year-old Anthony and nine-year-old Keisy.
“We’re happy to provide
the bottles for people who put
them to such good use,” said
Suffolk County Water Authority Chief Executive Officer
Jeffrey Szabo.
Bringing Heart Health
Awareness to the
South Shore Mall
In recognition of Heart Health
Awareness Month in February, Good
Samaritan hosted a free “Open Your Heart to Health”
event at Westfield South Shore Mall in Bay Shore.
Shoppers had the opportunity to participate in blood
pressure, cholesterol and body mass index (BMI)
screenings and receive free gifts. The event also
included Zumba demonstrations, a photo booth,
face painting and other children’s activities. It was
sponsored in part by an educational grant from
Teacher’s Federal Credit Union. For more information
on cardiology services at Good Samaritan, call (631)
376-4444 or visit www.good-samaritan-hospital.org.
4
GOOD news from good sam | march 2015
Grateful Patient Feels Twice Blessed
Following Bariatric Surgery
L
ife is good for 62-year-old Lee Alessi now that
he has lost more than 115 pounds following gastric
sleeve surgery performed by Good Samaritan’s
Chief of Bariatric Surgery Edward Cussatti, MD.
Mr. Alessi had always been active and never had weight issues
until 1998, when he was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, the deterioration of the heart muscle that can lead to heart failure. Due
to his condition, physical activity became increasingly difficult.
Over the next year, his condition worsened and he was told he
needed a heart transplant in order to survive. After his procedure,
he had an adverse reaction to anti-rejection medications. This impacted on his energy level and significantly increased his appetite
which caused him to gain more than 120 pounds over the next
eight years. Mr. Alessi’s increased weight was starting to negatively
impact his new heart. He was told he would require bypass surgery
to clear the blockages that formed in his arteries. Unfortunately,
surgery was not possible until he lost weight. Having been unsuccessful with diets, he started looking into surgical options.
“When I found Dr. Cussatti and the
bariatric surgery program at Good
Sam, I knew I was in the right place.”
Eventually, Mr. Alessi attended a bariatric surgery seminar at
Good Samaritan Hospital. It was there, among pre- and postsurgical patients, that Mr. Alessi felt confident to move forward
with his decision to have weight-loss surgery.
“There was a reason that I waited to have surgery,” said Mr.
Alessi. “When I found Dr. Cussatti and the bariatric surgery
program at Good Sam, I knew I was in the right place.”
Today, Mr. Alessi is lighter and more active than he has ever
been, going to the gym several times a week. Since his recent
weight loss, his cardiac issues have improved and he does not
need bypass surgery.
Lee, before surgery and after.
Named an Accredited Center by the Metabolic and Bariatric
Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program, Good
Samaritan’s program is dedicated to providing the highest quality
care, highly skilled providers, advanced equipment and multidisciplinary support allowing for successful weight loss outcomes.
Good Samaritan’s Bariatric Surgery Program has become the choice
for thousands of patients looking to take
charge of their lives.
For more information on Good Samaritan’s
Bariatric Surgery Program, call (631) 376-4444,
visit www.goodsambariatricsurgery.org or scan
this QR code with your smartphone.
www.good-samaritan-hospital.org
5
The Most Important
I
f you have ever had surgery, you know that the anes-
thesiologist is a vital member of the surgical team. The
anesthesiologist plays a central role in keeping patients
comfortable and regulating critical life functions—
breathing, heart rate and blood pressure. The anesthesiologist
is often the first to diagnose and treat any medical problems that
may arise during surgery or during the recovery period. Anesthesiologists are experts in how the human body works and its
responses to the stress of surgery. At 73-years-old, George Groudas is a veteran of surgery,
having many procedures including hernia and carpal tunnel
repairs. Recently he underwent pain management treatments
for a bulging disk in his back. Prior to his surgical procedures,
Bimal Massand, MD, anesthesiologist at Good Samaritan, evaluated his medical condition, including medical history and any
physical issues such as allergies, asthma, diabetes, high blood
pressure, or unusual heart and circulation conditions, before
choosing the appropriate anesthetic. With regards to his back
issue, it was determined that pain management would be least
invasive and appropriate due to his age and activity level.
“After each of my surgeries Dr. Massand would follow up with
me at home to make sure I was feeling like myself and not experiencing pain,” said Mr. Groudas.
Long Island Anesthesiologists, PLLC, (LIA) has provided anesthesiology services at Good Samaritan since the hospital opened
its doors in 1959—one of the longest serving groups in the area.
Its staff includes five members of the department whose fathers
had been affiliated physicians at Good Samaritan, including
Good Samaritan’s Chair of Anesthesiology Rod Domingo, MD;
Terry O’Malley, MD; William Maiorino, MD; Marc Soojian,
MD and Sandeep Annam, MD.
The group has cultivated a dedicated and skilled team of
anesthesiologists, capable of caring for patients at the extremes
of age and illness. Their expertise includes all branches of general
and specialty anesthesia care such as pediatric, thoracic, vascular,
bariatric, orthopedic, gynecologic, oncologic, abdominal,
interventional cardiology, obstetric and trauma. The team includes physicians who are certified in neuroanesthesia, regional
anesthesia and acute pain management and critical care.
Anesthesia services are available for 15 operating rooms; eight
labor rooms; endoscopy suite; interventional cardiology lab
for electrophysiology studies, implantable cardiac devices and
Tribute To
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Members of the community and Good Samaritan
staff honored the memory of Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr., by holding a tribute in the hospital’s St. Vincent de Paul
Chapel. Reverend Daris Dixon-Clark, Pastor of Bay Shore First
Baptist Church, delivered remarks in honor of Dr. King. Deacon
Edmore Peterson, also with the church, led a musical tribute.
Left to right: Members of Bay Shore First Baptist Church
Arthur Gatewood, Orville Brothers, Deacon Edmore Peterson,
Reverend Daris Dixon-Clark, Good Samaritan Hospital’s Director of Pastoral Care Deacon Paul Jennings, Ronald Mason and
Ben Brawer were among the participants.
6
GOOD news from good sam | march 2015
Doctor You Never See
transesophageal echocardiography;
as well as years of experience,” said
interventional radiology; intervenDr. Domingo. “Whether the needs
tional pain management and emerare surgical or diagnostic, critical or
gency airway management, 24-hours
chronic, pediatric or geriatric, the
a day, seven days a week. Many
department maintains the highest
members of the group are educators
professional standards, delivering
in the hospital’s OB/GYN Residency
safe anesthesia care in a compassionProgram and provide coverage for the
ate environment while respecting
Labor and Delivery unit—one of the
the dignity of every patient.”
busiest in Suffolk County—responSome of the most significant
sible for more than 2,600 deliveries a
strides in medicine and surgery are
year. Because of their specialty traindirectly attributable to anesthesioloing and vast experience in controlling
gy’s advances in patient monitoring,
pain during surgery, anesthesiologists
improved anesthetic agents and new
are uniquely qualified to prescribe and
drug therapy. Responsible for more
administer drug therapies or perform
than 20,000 cases per year, Good
Paul Scarola, MD, anesthesiologist, doing an advanced
special techniques for acute, chronic
Samaritan’s Department of Anestheultrasound guided procedure.
and cancer pain.
siology are one of the safest choices
“The Department of Anesthesiology at Good Samaritan
for patients on the south shore of Long Island.
For more information on anesthesiology services, call (631) 376-4444
brings our community a unique combination of highly qualior visit www.good-samaritan-hospital.org.
fied doctors with diverse backgrounds in anesthesia training,
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education from Good Samaritan?
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7
Guilds Support Pediatric Services
T
he Guilds of Good Samaritan Hospital recently
presented more than $80,000 to The Good Samaritan
Hospital Foundation to support the hospital’s pediatric services. This gift brought the Guilds’ 2014 donations to
a total of more than $233,000 for various programs, including
pediatrics and cardiology. Made up of volunteers from
surrounding communities, the Guilds have raised more than
$10 million for the hospital since 1958.
This donation will enhance pediatric services by supporting
the acquisition of equipment for surgically clearing children’s
airways. The Guild’s donation will also support the hospital’s
Pediatric Rehabilitation Program with the purchase of new
therapy toys and equipment.
Top Right, left to right: Executive Director of the Good Samaritan Hospital
Foundation Kelly Albanese Scherer; Director of Perioperative Sevices at
Good Samaritan Kathleen McDonald, RN; Thomas R. O’Donnell, MD,
Otolaryngologist; Central Council of the Guilds President Marie Nicharico
and Foundation board member Terese Weber.
Bottom Right, left to right: Supervisor of Outpatient Services Suzanne
Cestare, PT; Coordinators of Outpatient Pediatric Services, Susan
Takacs, OT, and Stephanie Wener, PT; Marie Nicharico; Director of
Rehabilitation Jill Bocchieri; Terese Weber and Kelly Albanese Scherer.
New York State Senator
Phil Boyle Brings Joy to
Pediatric Patients
Patients at Good Samaritan had a special
visit just before Christmas from New York
State Senator Phil Boyle. The Senator visited the Pediatric
Department to celebrate the holiday season, visiting with
children and distributing toys donated by the community.
“Good Samaritan is an important institution in the
community which I am proud to be associated with,” said
Senator Boyle. “Seeing the children smile during my visit
was so rewarding.”
Left to right: Pediatric nurses Linda Scalise, Heather
Vrljicak and Marie Dublin with patient Leah Rodriquez
accepting toys from Senator Phil Boyle.
8
GOOD news from good sam | march 2015
Volunteering Sustains
Hospital Services
V
olunteer Recognition Week
(April 12-18) is about inspiring,
recognizing and encouraging
people to seek out imaginative
ways to engage in their communities.
The more than 800 members of the Good
Samaritan Hospital Guilds will be recognized
for particular milestones of service at an
annual luncheon. Good Samaritan is fortunate to have dedicated volunteers, nearly
80 of whom will be honored for service
spanning between 100 and 16,000 hours.
This year’s Volunteer Recognition Week
theme of “Celebrating People in Action” typifies Good Sam volunteers as they collectively
contributed nearly 43,000 hours of service in
2014. Many honorees have been involved with
Guild volunteering for more than 50 years.
Recently, a record number of volunteers
reached 100-500 hours of service, a tribute
to the number of people who have newly
committed to volunteering. As the result of
a concentrated recruitment plan including a
Guild member for more than 10 years, Bonnie
Agalbato staffs the hospital’s gift cart with Michael Rohling who will be honored for 100 hours
of service after a year and a half.
series of volunteer job fairs, Guild meetings
and special events, the hospital has recruited more than 150 new volunteers over
the past few years. Many of these volunteers
are recent retirees who bring invaluable
business skills to their volunteer positions.
“I remember my mother volunteering at
Good Samaritan and feel privileged to be
able to carry on her legacy,” said Amityville Guild member Mary Brown who has
accumulated 275 hours of service since
2012. “Volunteering at the hospital’s Thrift
Shop and with the Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation gives me an incredible
sense of accomplishment and belonging.”
Volunteerism has numerous benefits.
It strengthens ties to the community and
broadens one’s support network, exposing the volunteer to people with common
interests, neighborhood resources, and fun
and fulfilling activities.
Good Samaritan Guild Volunteers enjoy
the privilege of membership in a longstanding
service organization which supports Good
Samaritan’s mission in the community.
For more information on the hospital‘s
Guilds, scan this QR code
with your smartphone or
call (631) 376-3659.
A Message From the Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer. ( CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2)
men, women and young people
who share their time, talent and
treasure to enhance the hospital
and serve our patients. You can
read about our robust volunteer
program on page 9.
Looking ahead to May, which
is Perinatal Mood Disorders
Awareness Month, this publica-
tion includes information on our
Mother’s Circle of Hope support
program for women struggling
with overwhelming emotions
surrounding the birth of a child.
Learn more on page 14.
This issue of Good News from
Good Sam contains a great deal
of useful and interesting infor-
mation to enhance your family’s
health and familiarize you with
the services and programs of
your community hospital. Yet it
just scratches the surface. Good
Samaritan has much to offer
our patients, staff and community. I encourage you to get to
know us. Come to a free Good
Sam University lecture, attend a
fundraising event, sign up for a
free e-newsletter, or have your
blood pressure checked at a free
screening. We are proud to be
your community hospital and
look forward to continuing to
meet your health care needs at
every stage and season of life.
www.good-samaritan-hospital.org
9
The Good News About Colorectal
W
hen it comes to
colorectal cancer, there
is good news and not-sogood news. The good news:
caught in its earliest stages, colorectal
cancer is highly curable. The not-sogood: because it often begins with no
symptoms, diagnosing colorectal cancer
before it has spread can be challenging.
That’s why experts recommend screening
beginning at age 50 in adults with no risk
factors. Those at increased risk may be advised to begin screening at an even younger
age. Risk factors include a family history of
colorectal cancer or a personal history of
inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
“The importance of screening colonoscopy cannot be overemphasized,”
said gastroenterologist Neil Lobo, MD.
Colonoscopy can reveal the presence of
pre-cancerous growths called polyps.
During colonoscopy, polyps and other
growths can be removed and biopsied to
detect cancer cells.
Caught early, the five-year survival rate
for patients with colorectal cancer is 90%.
For the 20% of patients whose cancer is
not found until it has spread to distant
organs, that rate declines to just 13%, according to the American Cancer Society.
Margaret Louden is one of the lucky
ones. She has survived two bouts of
colon cancer after screening colonoscopy detected malignant tumors. Since
her initial diagnosis seven years ago, the
75-year-old has been diligent with her
recommended screenings.
Because her cancer was found at an early
stage, she did not require chemotherapy or
radiation. Instead, her tumor was successfully
removed by surgeon Erica Sneider, MD.
“If not for the screening colonoscopy,
my prognosis would not be as good,” said
Ms. Louden.
Surgery remains the most common
treatment for colorectal cancer. At Good
Samaritan, surgeons use minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques whenever
possible to increase comfort and speed
recovery time.
“During a colonoscopy, precancerous
polyps can be removed and if a mass is
detected, it can either be removed or
biopsied. If a cancer is detected, referral
to a surgeon is often the next step,” said
Dr. Sneider.
The comprehensive team also includes
Island Digestive Joins Good Sam
Island Digestive Disease
Consultants in Babylon has
joined the Good Samaritan Hospital
family to provide high quality gastroenterological care to patients suffering
from a range of GI concerns. With four
experienced gastroenterologists, the
group specializes in the diagnosis and
treatment of stomach pain, ulcers,
cancer, heartburn, gallstones and
other conditions of the GI tract.
“We are pleased to align with Good
Samaritan and look forward to partnering with the hospital to provide seamless
care to our patients,” said Neil Lobo, MD.
Island Digestive is located at 400 W.
Main Street, Suite 300, Babylon.
For more information,
please call (631) 3216400, scan this QR code
with your smartphone
or visit them online at
Neil Lobo, MD
10
Kourosh Adhami, MD
James Kohlroser, MD
GOOD news from good sam | march 2015
Babek Danesh, MD
http://bit.ly/1zmFYhm.
Cancer
specially trained nurses as well as
medical and radiation oncologists who
are on hand to care for those patients
who require chemotherapy or radiation
following surgery.
Under the umbrella of the Good
Samaritan Cancer Center, support
groups and counseling for patients and
family members are also offered.
“Thanks to the care I have received,
I’m looking forward to recovering
and becoming active once again,” said
Ms. Louden.
For more info
on colorectal cancer,
scan this QR code
with your smartphone
or visit www.cancercenteratgoodsam.org.
Watch for
Warning Signs
In its early stages, colorectal cancer produces no symptoms. However, Dr. Lobo
advises individuals to watch for possible
warning signs and discuss them with
your physician. These include:
Therapeutic Murals
Provide Comfort
March is
Colorectal
Cancer
Awareness
Month
In recognition of
Colorectal Cancer
Awareness Month,
the gastroenterologists at Island
Digestive Disease
Consultants offer
these tips to
reduce the risk of
colorectal cancer:
Consume five servings of fruits, vegetables and whole
grains each day
Left to right: Chief of Staff to Suffolk County Legislator Thomas
F. Barraga Susan Malone; Chair of the Good Samaritan
Hospital Foundation Kelly Daniele-Crosman; Philanthropist
Theresa Patnode Santmann; New York State Senator Phil
Boyle; Foundation board member Aileen Eppig; and Good
Samaritan Hospital Executive Vice President and Chief
Administrative Officer Nancy Simmons.
S
plashes of Hope therapeutic murals,
commissioned by local philanthropist
and Good Samaritan benefactor Theresa
Patnode Santmann, were recently unveiled to staff,
members of the community, and hospital admin-
Limit your intake
of red meat and
saturated fat
istrators and board members. Splashes of Hope
therapeutic distraction, soothing visualization, and
• Changes in bowel habits, including
persistent diarrhea or constipation
Exercise for at
least ½ hour, five
days a week
• Bloody stools
If you smoke, quit
• Abdominal discomfort or bloating
• Unexplained fatigue, loss of appetite
and/or weight loss
• Pelvic pain
Avoid alcohol
Maintain a healthy
body weight
is a non-profit organization that creates artwork
in medical settings as tools for pain management,
focal points during necessary procedures.
The murals are located in the hallway and
family waiting room of the open heart surgery
unit, in the waiting room of the Theresa Patnode
Santmann Center for Cardiovascular Services and
in the hallway leading to the Catheterization Labs.
The newly “splashed” areas at Good Samaritan
Hospital will bring smiles to the faces of patients,
staff and visitors.
www.good-samaritan-hospital.org
11
Kelly Daniele-Crosman Appointed Chair
Of the Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation Board
T
he good samaritan
Hospital Foundation has
named Kelly DanieleCrosman Chair of its
Board of Trustees. She has been a board
member since 2012.
Daniele-Crosman, originally from
Ohio, came to New York to attend Hofstra
University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in political science. After
graduating from Brooklyn Law School
with her juris doctorate, she practiced
law at several private firms on Long
Island before opening her own practice
in Babylon Village in 2000.
“I am honored to serve as Chair of the
Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation and
to actively participate in this journey of
modernization and expansion to better serve
our community,” said Daniele-Crosman.
Kelly Daniele-Crosman
A member of the Suffolk County Bar
Association, Daniele-Crosman is also a
past president and member of the Zonta
Club of Suffolk County—the local
chapter of an international service
organization committed to improving
the status of women. She is also a past
president and member of the Babylon
Village Women’s Club and co-chaired
the Light of Hope memorial event.
Daniele-Crosman and her husband,
Lloyd Crosman, have four teenage
children and reside in Babylon Village.
The Foundation was established to
assist Good Samaritan Hospital Medical
Center in cultivating and managing gifts,
facilitating financial stewardship and
developing both short- and long-term
strategic goals. Under the leadership of
its own Board of Trustees, the Foundation serves as the focal point and direct
recipient of philanthropic support for the
not-for-profit medical center.
one year, two hearts... ( CONTINUED FROM COVER)
20 year career at St. Francis,” said Dr.
La Mendola. “I am very proud that everyone on the team used their incredible
skills and experience to save Steve’s life.”
In March, 59-year-old West Islip resident
Vincent Marullo came close to seeing his
wife, Susan, and two children for the last
time. While undergoing urgent cardiac
catheterization to examine his coronary
arteries for blockages, Mr. Marullo was
found by Ezra Deutsch, MD, Director of the
Cardiac Catherization Program at Good
Samaritan, to be in cardiogenic shock and
in need of immediate open heart surgery.
12
“If not for the St. Francis Hospital Open
Heart Surgery Program at Good Samaritan
Open Heart
Surgery Team
GOOD news from good sam | march 2015
my husband would not have survived,”
said Susan Marullo. “Bringing my husband
Hospital’s Imaging Services Center Renamed
Good Samaritan Hospital staff, administrators,
physicians, elected officials and community leaders
helped celebrate the recent renaming of the hospital’s Imaging
Services Center in memory of Charles E. DeClerck and his historic
$1.7 million bequest to the Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation. The
Charles E. DeClerck Department of Imaging Services is accredited by
the American College of Radiology and consistently meets the highest
standards of imaging, equipment, quality assurance and safety.
to Good Sam was life-changing.”
After months of research and countless
interviews with cardiologists, Sandra
Kasner made an immediate connection
with Dr. La Mendola one week before his
planned departure from St. Francis Hospital.
She felt confident that she had found the
heart surgeon who would successfully repair
her aortic valve. In June, Ms. Kasner traveled from her Long Beach home to Good
Samaritan for valve replacement surgery.
Dr. La Mendola performed open heart
surgery on 21-year-old Arely Sibrianfuentes on December 18 to correct acute
Left to right: Paul J. Fusco, Jr., Esq., Legislative Aide to Suffolk County Legislator
Thomas F. Barraga; Good Samaritan Department of Internal Medicine Chair and
Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs Jerome Weiner, MD; Good Samaritan
Hospital Foundation Vice Chairperson Aileen Eppig; Good Samaritan Hospital’s AVP
of Facilities Management Richard Bie; SVP of Administration Joseph Loiacono;
Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation Immediate Past Chair John J. Halleron, III, Esq.;
the hospital’s Associate Chief Medical Officer Donald Teplitz, DO; newly-appointed
Chair of the Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation Kelly Daniele-Crosman, Esq.; Town
of Islip Trustee John C. Cochrane; Good Samaritan Hospital’s AVP of Imaging, Cardiology and Cancer Services Ralph Corbino; Foundation board member Henry Schreiber,
Jr., and Good Samaritan Hospital’s Director of Pastoral Care Deacon Paul Jennings.
mitral valve regurgitation, a blood leak
into the upper chamber of the heart. Prior
to surgery, she was feeling extremely
fatigued and having trouble breathing.
“I am very grateful to Dr. La Mendola
and the team at Good Samaritan,” said
Ms. Sibrianfuentes. “Without them, I
would not be looking forward to a long,
healthy life.”
These are just five of the more than 250
patients who underwent open heart surgery at Good Samaritan Hospital this past
year. They range in age from 21 to 90; they
hail from all across Long Island; some
came during life-threatening emergencies while others found Good Samaritan
after much deliberation and research. All
had one thing in common: a need for the
highest quality cardiac care available. All
are grateful that two strong hearts – the
cardiac programs at Good Samaritan and
St. Francis Hospital– now beat as one.
For more
information on Good
Samaritan’s Open Heart
Surgery Program,
scan this QR code with
your smartphone.
www.good-samaritan-hospital.org
13
Hospital Introduces New
Mother-Baby Unit
S
taff at Good Samaritan were joined by ad-
ministration and physicians, community members
and elected officials at the recent ribbon cutting for
the Mother–Baby unit. Here, mothers and newborns
remain together in private rooms for the entire hospital stay.
For the nearly 2,800 babies delivered a year, this approach offers
several benefits, including facilitating mother-baby bonding and
establishing breastfeeding.
Chairman of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Good Samaritan
Benjamin Schwartz, MD, gave high accolades to everyone
responsible for making this project possible. Starting with the
physicians at the hospital in its earliest years including his father
Robert Schwartz, MD, who also served as Chairman to staff
with the hospital’s Mother–Baby Unit.
“This newly designed unit exceeds all expectations in quality
health care and is why so many families have entrusted Good
Samaritan Hospital with their deliveries and babies,” said Dr.
Schwartz.
The newly renovated area includes nine rooms, including
Among those celebrating the dedication were (left to right) Good Samaritan
Hospital SVP of Administration Joseph Loiacono; Town of Islip Supervisor Angie
Carpenter; Associate Chief Medical Officer Donald Teplitz, DO; Town of Islip
Trustee John C. Cochrane; Fr. Cletus Nwaogwugwu; Nurse Manager of MotherBaby Joanne Schroeder, RN; Chairman of Obstetrics and Gynecology Benjamin
Schwartz, MD; the Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation board member Henry
Schreiber, Jr. and Foundation Chair Kelly Daniele-Crosman, Esq.
seven offering private accommodations. Each patient room is
decorated with soothing wall coverings and artwork and includes
a full bath. Private rooms include patient refrigerators.
For more information on maternity services at Good Samaritan
Hospital, call (631) 376-4444.
May is Perinatal Mood Disorder Awareness Month
WHat should be the happiest time in a new mother’s life
may instead lead to depression or anxiety.
Perinatal Mood Disorder is the leading
medical complication related to childbearing, affecting one of every eight mothers
during pregnancy and one of every six after
delivery. Good Samaritan Hospital offers
a support group, “The Mother’s Circle of
Hope,” free of charge for women experiencing pregnancy-related or postpartum
depression and anxiety.
These feelings may make women
ashamed and cause them to hide their
14
suffering from family and friends. However,
it is important to talk to someone, whether
it is a health care provider, family member
or friend, and seek help. Getting treatment
early is the best thing a mom can do for
herself, her baby and family.
The Mother’s Circle of Hope meets once
a week for eight weeks to provide emotional support and information to women
in the community. Participants learn about
available treatment options, as well as the
steps back to wellness in a supportive, caring environment. Attendees discover they
are not alone and gain strategies to help
GOOD news from good sam | march 2015
cope with this experience and begin the
road to recovery.
The next series begins April 7, 7-8 pm at
Good Samaritan Hospital’s Center for
Pediatric Specialty Care, 661 Deer Park
Ave., Babylon. Registration is required.
For more information or to register for any perinatal
education class,
please call (631)
376-HOPE or scan
this QR code with
your smartphone.
Community Calendar
All events are held at Good
Samaritan, unless otherwise
noted. For more information
or to register for any of the
events listed below, please
call (631) 376-4444.
All programs are free
except where noted.
4/1 Wednesday • Noon
Good Samaritan University Community Lecture:
Aging Gracefully: Helping Others
While Helping Yourself
Susan Grimm, Director of Volunteer Services
Bay Shore-Brightwaters Public Library,
One South Country Road, Brightwaters
Also: Free blood pressure screening
one hour prior.
4/15 Wednesday • 6:30 pm
4/27 Monday • 6 pm
Good Samaritan University Community Lecture:
Diabetes Prevention Program
Women’s Wellness:
Top Trending Health Concerns
Free 16-week program with the Suffolk
County Department of Health Services
Long Island Cancer Help and Wellness
Center, 32 Park Avenue, Bay Shore
Long Island Cancer Help and Wellness
Center, 32 Park Avenue, Bay Shore
Pre-registration is required
4/16 Thursday • 6 pm
Learn To Be Tobacco Free
Six week smoking cessation program:
April 16, 23, 30, May 7, 14, 21; reunion
June 11
Long Island Cancer Help and Wellness
Center, 32 Park Avenue, Bay Shore
4/22 Wednesday • 6 pm
Watch for May
Health Screenings for:
Oral, Head and Neck Cancer
and Skin Cancer
6/6 Saturday • 10 am – 5 pm
Islip Town Street Festival
Main Street, Islip
Good Samaritan University Community Lecture:
Food For Thought: Peeling Back
Food Labels
Kyle Wolfe, RD, CDN, Clinical Dietitian
Cooking demonstration & tasting by
Executive Chef John Vaeth
West Islip Fire Dept., 309 Union Blvd.
6/14 Sunday • 11 am – 6 pm
The Bay Shore Arts Festival
by The Bay
Main Street, Bay Shore
(631) 376-3333 • www.good-samaritan-hospital.org
www.good-samaritan-hospital.org
15
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Hicksville, NY
PERMIT No. 000
1000 Montauk Highway
West Islip, NY 11795
(631) 376-4444
www.good-samaritan-hospital.org
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G o o d sa m ’s ba r i at r i c su r g e ry c e n t e r
Healthy Progress.
Good Sam closes the gap between heavy and healthy.
Visit www.GoodSamBariatricSurgery.com to view some of our success stories.
The next step is yours.
•Experienced, board-certified surgeons who are experts in
weight-loss surgery
•Free seminars, support groups and weight loss and nutrition counseling
•Named an Accredited Center by the Metabolic and Bariatric
Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program
•Excellent outcomes
•Among the lowest number of re-admissions nationwide
•Among the lowest occurrence of re-operations nationwide
16
1 0 0 0 M o n ta u k H i g h w ay • W e s t I s l i p, NY 1 1 7 9 5 • ( 6 3 1 ) 3 7 6 - 4 4 4 4 • w w w.g o o d - s a m a r i ta n - h o s p i ta l .o r g
GOOD news from good sam | march 2015